UK airport launches brand new route to pretty island just 40 minutes away

A UK airport has kicked off a brand-new route to a beautiful island just 40 minutes away.

Cornwall Airport Newquay has welcomed its first Aurigny’s airline flight from Guernsey on Wednesday.

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The Guernsey Islands are made up of five small islands including Guernsey, Sark, Herm, Alderney, and Lihou, and they’re said to have the most hours of sunshine in the British Isles.

Guernsey, one of the English Channel islands, is known for its scenery of coastal cliffs and beach resorts.

The new route creates a direct connection between Guernsey and Cornwall, providing travellers with an easy and picturesque getaway.

The flights will run every week throughout the summer season.

Cornwall Airport Newquay’s Head of Commercial, Amy Smith, said: “This new route is a fantastic addition to our summer schedule and enhances our connectivity.

“It further highlights the growing appeal of Cornwall as a top travel destination and offers a good link to the Channel Islands.  We look forward to a successful partnership.”

On its new service to Newquay, Aurigny uses an ATR 72-600 aircraft, known for its fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.

With its cruising speed of up to 270 knots and range of about 825 miles, the ATR 72-600 is perfect for regional flights.

Sudeep Ghai, Chief Commercial Officer of Aurigny, said:  “We’re delighted to add Newquay to our network this summer, giving the people of Guernsey the opportunity to experience the remarkable beauty of the Cornish coast.

“And likewise, we hope to bring the people of Cornwall to Guernsey to experience the warmth of our three islands, not just the hospitality of Guernsey but the opportunity to travel onward from here to Alderney and Sark.”

In February this year, the small airline launched two daily flights from London City Airport to Guernsey with one-way fares starting from £49.99 per person.

Aurigny airlines already operate a route between London Gatwick and Guernsey, with as many as six flights operating between the two airports on any given day.

Plenty of other UK airports also have direct flights to Guernsey, including Manchester, Exeter, Leeds Bradford, Southampton, Birmingham, Bristol.

A direct route also operates between Dublin and Guernsey.

Meanwhile, Alderney Airport has direct flights to neighbouring Guernsey and Southampton.

Exotic landscapes

Despite being only nine miles long and three miles wide, there’s plenty to keep Brit holidaymakers entertained on Guernsey.

Often likened to the Caribbean by both travel experts and tourists alike, the Channel island has golden beaches, crystal-clear waters and exotic landscapes.

Popular activities on the islands include surfing, dolphin-spotting, and island hopping to some of the smaller Channel Islands.

There are believed to be 27 beaches on the island, including Le Grand Harve, Shell Beach, Ladies Beach, and Petit Bot Bay.

Out on the water, tourists can learn how to scuba dive, surf, go on boat trips for a spot of wildlife-watching and explore the island on a yacht.

There are plenty of walking and cycling routes through the countryside too.

Other activities include visiting Castle Cornet, an 800-year-old castle, sampling some Guernsey ice cream at one of the beach cafes, and exploring the island’s history at the Little Chapel.